A slow smile spread over her lips. “I’m looking forward to it.”
Then, someone called her name, effectively bursting our little bubble. And she glided across the room to play hostess.
Tristan approached me, a beer in hand and a smile on his face. “I like that look on you, baby brotha.”
I glanced at him. “What look?”
“Peace.”
“I’m glad I can feel it.”
“Did you get the ring?” he asked.
“It’s in my pocket.”
“Just don’t do it here. Ma’s going to cry. Dad will give you advice. And Dallas’s ass will ask too many questions.”
“I wasn’t planning on it,” I assured him.
“Do it in private. You know . . . Just you and her. Like I did with Sasha.”
I frowned. “Wait, what? You’re engaged?”
It was just like my brother tonotmention that he’d asked his girlfriend to marry him. But I wasn’t mad at him. He did things on his own time, in his own way. And he’d shown me that it was okay for me to do the same.
“A couple of months ago,” he explained. “It’s been a hard year.”
Curious, I asked, “You good?”
“I’ll tell you everything.” He chuckled. “One day.”
Waving a dismissive hand, I grumbled, “Man, you gotta stop that chuckling. It feels wrong.”
Then, he barked out a laugh.
“And what the hell was that?” I asked, unable to hide my own smile. “Now you’re laughing and shit?”
He shoved me. “Get the fuck out of here, man.”
I clasped a hand on his shoulder. “I swear, you’re getting soft in your old age.”
“Shut the hell up.” He cracked a small smile. “But Dad always told me one day I would find a woman who would make me want to give her all my money. Shit, I spent a mint on that ring.”
“Hey, if that’s what you had to do . . . I’m happy for you.”
“Thanks,” he said. “Let me know when it’s done. So I can get out of that group chat. Dallas keeps adding me back in.”
My gaze followed Rissa’s movements, the sway of her hips as she grabbed cups, poured drinks, cut cake, and laughed with Zara. The urge to be alone with her propelled me to go to her.
As our family celebratedourson, I pulled my girlfriend into the wine closet situated on the back of the house.
“What are you doing?” she asked, a confused look in her eyes.
I perched her up on the counter and kissed her. “Getting ready to fuck you in this wine closet.”
She gasped, then her eyes widened. “No.” She pushed me away from her, but I wouldn’t be deterred. “We can’t do that here. Not now.”
“Just be quiet.”
